Can You Detect Diabetes From an Ordinary Blood Test?
Monday, March 16th, 2009 at
11:45 am
Kate D. asked:
I have been feeling extremely sick lately and had an ordinary blood test taken. I just recently, after the blood test, have seen similar symptoms to diabetes and was wondering if a doctor can detect diabetes from a blood test.
I have been feeling extremely sick lately and had an ordinary blood test taken. I just recently, after the blood test, have seen similar symptoms to diabetes and was wondering if a doctor can detect diabetes from a blood test.
Tagged with: Blood Test • Diabetes Test • Symptoms Diabetes
Filed under: Diabetes
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I’m pretty sure that blood glucose concentration (blood sugar) is a standard part of a blood test these days. Sure, doctors are able to detect it.
Yes there are two types of blood tests that can be done which are just blood tests. There are actually 3 tests that they use to determine whether a person has diabetes. One type is called a GTT which means a glucose tolerance test (this is where the patient will drink that orange syrupy stuff like mcdonalds has) and they will check the blood before and after the test. Another method is FGT which is a fasting blood sugar test. This is where you can have no food or drink except for water up to 10 hours before your test. Then the other one that they usually do for blood sugar is a random blood sugar where you have already eaten, but they will see how the body is able to manufacture the sugars.
you mean can they just look at it and tell? no.
they run specific tests, no blood test is “ordinary”, the doctor orders them for specific reasons. There are two tests to check for diabetes, one requires that you be fasting for 12 hours prior. The other, called an A1C can be done anytime. If you think you are diabetic, then you have to get the specific test for it.
After your doctor performs a routine blood test, diabetes may be detected. The A1C test will let your doctor know whether or not you diabetes. Usually, a diabetic does not feel extremely sick so something else may be wrong. Often symptoms include extreme thirst and the need to urinate often. Why don’t you call your doctor if you need to know now.
Honestly there is no such thing as an ordinary blood test.
There are tests for diabetes, actually more than one, the lab can check for instantaneous glucose levels, and A1c test is a sort of average over the last three months, and a glucose tolerance test check how your body handles a huge belt of sugar over a short period. There may be others but those come to mind immediately.
Then there are blood tests for infection, some viruses, some cancers, kidney function, liver function, cholesterol… OK that’s enough, you get the idea. What your doctor can discern from the test are whether or not you have what you s/he is looking for.
If you are concerned about diabetes you should discuss it with your doctor.
Good luck, I hope it something else. I am type 2 and while many say it is manageable they fail to tell you just how depressed you can get managing the condition. It has been about 5 years since I was diagnosed and my doctor said I had probably had it for at least 5 years before that. I didn’t make a fuss, just passing mention of symptoms so when I did press it was because of the results of neuropathy in my feet, legs, and hands. When you have those symptoms it is already too late. The nerve damage is permanent and irreversible. The condition stinks because I can barely walk now and it is getting worse. Well enough about me, I’m trying to scare you enough that you will get checked but not so much that you will give up. I think if mine had been detected earlier I would much happier and far less depressed. It is sad when every few months you consider throwing your meds away and wait for the coma. It is sad, don’t wait knowledge is power and good or bad you will know what is happening with your body.